Heart Disease Facts
- Heart disease is the number one killer of Americans. Of the 2.3 million Americans who died last year, 41 percent lost their lives to heart disease. Heart disease claims more lives than the next seven causes of death combined.
- More than 33 Mississippians die from heart disease or stroke every day.
- Mississippi leads the nation in deaths from heart disease. Forty-four percent of all deaths in Mississippi stem from heart disease.
- More than 58 million Americans live with some form of heart disease, ranging from congenital heart defects, to high blood pressure to hardening of the arteries.
- Forrest General's Emergency Services Department averages 17 cardiac emergencies per 24-hour period.
- At least 250,000 Americans die each year of heart disease within one hour of the onset of symptoms and before they reach the hospital. Prompt treatment greatly increases chances for surviving a heart attack.
- According to the National Center for Health Statistics, if all forms of major cardiovascular disease were eliminated, life expectancy would rise immediately by almost 10 years.
- Heart disease isn't just for men. Heart disease is also the leading killer of women. The risk of heart disease rises sharply in women as they approach menopause.
- Specialized coronary care facilities, such as intensive care and coronary care units, catheterization labs, open-heart capabilities and chest pain emergency facilities, can reduce in-hospital deaths by 30 percent.
- The Chest Pain ER is staffed by emergency physicians and nurses certified in advanced cardiac life support (ACLS). Staff cardiologists are also available 24 hours a day.
Sources: American Heart Association and Forrest General
E-mail FGH OnCall or call us at 1-800-844-4445 for more information about Heart Disease.
